Illegal Cigarette Import Busted: Tribunal Finds Violations of Packaging Rules and Customs Act, Reduces Penalties

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....CESTAT adjudicated a case involving illegal import of foreign cigarettes, finding violations of COPTA and Customs Act, 1962. The tribunal determined that the consignment contravened Section 111(d) and 111(i) by importing cigarettes without mandatory packaging warnings. While appellants were not considered direct passengers, they were found liable for illegal distribution. The tribunal partially allowed the appeals, reducing penalties to Rs. 1,75,000 for one appellant and Rs. 75,000 for another under Section 112(b), effectively sanctioning their involvement in illegal cigarette importation while mitigating the original penalty amounts.....